AEW Redemption 2026 recap & reactions: This was bad

AEW has a great track record for PPV. Even though the Redemption card felt like a speed bump to All In, there was general optimism that the action would deliver. Most of the matches were decent enough. Overall, the PPV left a bad taste. The blame for that falls on the storytelling. AEW crafted a horrendous angle for the drama between Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, and the Death Riders. The logic was bad. The acting was bad. The pacing was bad. The swerve was bad. To first-time readers, regular readers can testify that I’m not an AEW hater. I hated this angle. AEW told the storyline through a few spots during the show. We have to start with the second match of the PPV. I’m going to leave the reaction as what I wrote shortly after watching live, because I think it paints a picture of my mindset in the moment. Young Bucks defeated Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay. The question was if Ospreay was brainwashed into turning evil. AEW answered that question by using Nick Jackson as concussion bait. Nick